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Weiskittle R, Baird L, O'Malley K, Pless Kaiser A, Bashian H, Moye J. Advancing Late-Life Trauma-Informed Care Education: Development and Evaluation of an Educational Podcast. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 2024:10.1007/s10880-024-10019-3. [PMID: 38951304 DOI: 10.1007/s10880-024-10019-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may emerge in late life in the context of illness, role changes, and life review, leading to complications in disease management. The "Talking Later" podcast was developed as an accessible educational product to improve knowledge about late-life PTSD. We describe the process of systematically developing a ten-episode podcast following Kern's six-step curricular model. Following release, the podcast was evaluated via listenership analytics, external clinician feedback survey (N = 45), and internal team survey (N = 9). In 22 months since release, the podcast was played or downloaded 10,124 times across 45 countries. In the external survey, 97% of clinician experts reported the episodes as engaging and informational; 87% stated that no more than general knowledge of PTSD was required to enjoy the podcast. Qualitative analysis of open-ended feedback items found that participants were interested in learning about additional comorbidities and diversity issues related to late-life trauma reengagement. Both the external and internal survey identified discrete elements for improvement. Results suggest the podcast was engaging and informational to a diverse clinical audience. Podcasts represent a relatively new way to deliver educational content. Further consideration of their pedagogical value and limits is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Weiskittle
- University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
| | - Lola Baird
- VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kelly O'Malley
- VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anica Pless Kaiser
- VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- National Center for PTSD, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hannah Bashian
- VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA, 02130, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer Moye
- VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA, 02130, USA.
- New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Gielkens EMJ, Sobczak S, Gerrits N, Rosowsky E, Stas L, Rossi G, van Alphen SPJ. Feasibility of EMDR toward Personality Functioning in Older Adults with PTSD. Clin Gerontol 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38656832 DOI: 10.1080/07317115.2024.2344793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in older adults (≥60 years) has been found to be associated with maladaptive personality functioning and personality disorders (PD). Emerging evidence in adults supports that reprocessing adverse events with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) could improve personality functioning and reduce full PDdiagnosis. METHODS A multicenterfeasibilitystudy in 24 older PTSD-patients receiving weekly EMDR-sessions for either 3, 6 or 9 months. A linear-mixed-model was used with personality functioning (SIPP-SF) as dependent variable and time, PTSD-severity (CAPS-5), and "othertreatment" as predictor variables. Secondary, pre- and posttreatment percentages were calculated for the PDspresence. RESULTS Symptom changes over time showed a significant influence of CAPS-5 on SIPP-SF (b = -1.40, 95% CI=[-2.48 to -0.33], p = .012), no significant effect of time for total SIPP-SF, and a significant improvement of SIPP-SF "identityintegration"-scale over time (b = 9.20, 95% CI=[0.97-17.42], p = .029). There was a marginal significant effect of "othertreatment" (b = 8.42, 95% CI=[-0.30-17.13], p = .058). There was 31% full PDs-decrease. CONCLUSIONS Observed improvements in personality functioning from pre to post EMDRtreatment were explained by PTSD-severity. Identityintegration improved significantly over time. Results suggest that participants with "othertreatment" showed more severe baseline-pathology and thus lower personality functioning. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS EMDR, in addition to being a feasible treatment option for older adults with PTSD, improves personality functioning and reduces the presence of PDs over time.'
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen M J Gielkens
- Clinical center of excellence for older adults with personality disorders, Mondriaan Mental Health Centre, Heerlen-Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Department of Psychology, Personality and Psychopathology Research Group (PEPS), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sjacko Sobczak
- Clinical center of excellence for older adults with personality disorders, Mondriaan Mental Health Centre, Heerlen-Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Rotterdam Research Center Innovations in Care, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nienke Gerrits
- Clinical center of excellence for older adults with personality disorders, Mondriaan Mental Health Centre, Heerlen-Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Erlene Rosowsky
- William James College, Department of Clinical Psychology, Newton, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lara Stas
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Biostatistics and Medical Informatics Research Group, Brussels, Belgium
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Core Facility - Support for Quantitative and Qualitative Research (SQUARE), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gina Rossi
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Department of Psychology, Personality and Psychopathology Research Group (PEPS), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sebastiaan P J van Alphen
- Clinical center of excellence for older adults with personality disorders, Mondriaan Mental Health Centre, Heerlen-Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Department of Psychology, Personality and Psychopathology Research Group (PEPS), Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
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Havermans DCD, Hoeboer CM, Sobczak S, Primasari I, Coimbra BM, Hovnanyan A, Novakovic IZ, Langevin R, Aakvaag HF, Grace E, Dragan M, Lueger-Schuster B, El-Hage W, Olff M. The mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and exposure to other potentially traumatic events up to old age. J Trauma Stress 2023; 36:738-749. [PMID: 37218466 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We investigated whether the impact of potentially traumatic events (PTEs) on trauma-related symptoms changes across the transitional adult lifespan (i.e., 16-100 years old) and if this association differs for self-reported COVID-19-related PTEs compared to other PTEs. A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 7,034 participants from 88 countries between late April and October 2020. Participants completed the Global Psychotrauma Screen (GPS), a self-report questionnaire assessing trauma-related symptoms. Data were analyzed using linear and logistic regression analyses and general linear models. We found that older age was associated with lower GPS total symptom scores, B = -0.02, p < .001; this association remained significant but was substantially weaker for self-reported COVID-19-related PTEs compared to other PTEs, B = 0.02, p = .009. The results suggest an association between older age and lower ratings of trauma-related symptoms on the GPS, indicating a blunted symptom presentation. This age-related trend was smaller for self-reported COVID-19-related PTEs compared to other PTEs, reflecting the relatively higher impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demi C D Havermans
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- TanteLouise, Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands
| | - Chris M Hoeboer
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers Location AMC, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sjacko Sobczak
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Mondriaan Mental Health Center, Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Mondriaan Mental Health Center, Heerlen, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Indira Primasari
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers Location AMC, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
| | - Bruno M Coimbra
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ani Hovnanyan
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Irina Zrnic Novakovic
- Lab for Psychotraumatology, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Rachel Langevin
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Helene F Aakvaag
- Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Oslo, Norway
| | - Emma Grace
- Department of International Psychology, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | | | - Brigitte Lueger-Schuster
- Lab for Psychotraumatology, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Wissam El-Hage
- UMR 1253, IBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France
| | - Miranda Olff
- ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, Diemen, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers Location AMC, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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O'Connor V, Rowland JA, Naylor JC, Magnante AT, Craig KM, Miskey HM, Martindale SL. Time doesn't heal all: PTSD symptoms exacerbate the relationship between age and pain intensity. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1221762. [PMID: 37575582 PMCID: PMC10415104 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1221762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and pain interfere with daily functioning and quality of life for many combat Veterans. As individuals age, pain symptoms tend to increase whereas PTSD symptoms tend to decrease. PTSD symptoms exacerbate pain, but the nature of this relationship across the aging process is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine how PTSD symptoms affect the association between age and pain intensity. Methods Participants in this cross-sectional study included 450 Veterans (80% male) who served after September 11, 2001. PTSD and pain intensity ratings were assessed by the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), respectively. Hierarchical multiple linear regression evaluated main and interaction effects between age, PTSD symptoms, and pain intensity. Results Age (B = 0.04, p < 0.001) and PTSD symptoms (B = 0.05, p < 0.001) were positively associated with pain intensity. Age and PTSD symptoms were inversely correlated (r = -0.16, p < 0.001). PTSD symptoms exacerbated the relationship between age and pain intensity (ΔR2 = 0.01, p = 0.036). Specifically, when greater PTSD symptoms were reported at older ages, pain intensity was significantly higher. Conclusion Results of these analyses suggests that age is important when considering the effects of PTSD symptoms on pain intensity ratings. Specifically, pain intensity ratings are higher in older Veterans with PTSD symptoms. These findings underscore the importance for clinical providers to evaluate trauma history and PTSD symptoms in older Veterans reporting pain symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria O'Connor
- W. G. (Bill) Hefner VA Healthcare System, Salisbury, NC, United States
- Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN)-6 Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness, Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Durham, NC, United States
- Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Jared A Rowland
- W. G. (Bill) Hefner VA Healthcare System, Salisbury, NC, United States
- Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN)-6 Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness, Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Durham, NC, United States
- Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Jennifer C Naylor
- Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN)-6 Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness, Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Durham, NC, United States
- Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Anna T Magnante
- W. G. (Bill) Hefner VA Healthcare System, Salisbury, NC, United States
- Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN)-6 Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness, Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Durham, NC, United States
- Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Katherine M Craig
- W. G. (Bill) Hefner VA Healthcare System, Salisbury, NC, United States
- Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN)-6 Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness, Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Durham, NC, United States
| | - Holly M Miskey
- W. G. (Bill) Hefner VA Healthcare System, Salisbury, NC, United States
- Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN)-6 Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness, Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Durham, NC, United States
- Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Sarah L Martindale
- W. G. (Bill) Hefner VA Healthcare System, Salisbury, NC, United States
- Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN)-6 Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness, Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Durham, NC, United States
- Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
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Moye J, O’Malley KA, Auguste EJ, Driver JA, Owsiany MT, Paik JM. Trauma re-engagement and PTSD in older medically ill veterans: implications for trauma-informed care. Aging Ment Health 2023; 27:957-964. [PMID: 35603825 PMCID: PMC10281592 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2022.2068135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We characterize rates and correlates of PTSD and of trauma re-engagement without PTSD in medically ill older Veterans, as well as supportive strategies, with the goal of advancing trauma-informed care. METHODS We interviewed medically ill older Veterans (N = 88, M age 75.13, SD = 6.14) with primary care screening measures for PTSD and trauma re-engagement, and open-ended questions to assess supportive strategies. RESULTS One-fifth (20.5%) presented with probable PTSD, associated with greater trauma exposures (r=.57, p<.001), whereas two-fifths (43.2%) reported re-engagement with military memories without PTSD, associated with having a spouse/partner (t = 2.27, p=.028). Of those who experienced trauma, half reported thinking more about the trauma recently and becoming more emotional on certain days. In response to the question 'What gives you strength as you think about the future with your illness' Veterans described support of family, healthcare, worldview, personal control, acceptance, and health behaviors. CONCLUSION Memories of trauma are common with medical illness. Age-friendly trauma-informed care could consider factors that patients describe as sources of strength with illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Moye
- VA New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kelly A. O’Malley
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth J. Auguste
- VA New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jane A. Driver
- VA New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Montgomery T. Owsiany
- VA New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julie M. Paik
- VA New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Cations M, Cook JM, Nichter B, Esterlis I, Pietrzak RH. Subjective cognitive difficulties and posttraumatic stress disorder interact to increase suicide risk among middle-aged and older US military veterans. Int Psychogeriatr 2023:1-9. [PMID: 36756753 DOI: 10.1017/s1041610222001053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the role of subjective cognitive difficulties (SCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and their interaction in predicting suicidal ideation and current suicidal intent in middle-aged and older United States (US) military veterans. DESIGN Population-based cross-sectional study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Data were analyzed from the 2019 to 2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, which surveyed a nationally representative sample of 3602 US veterans aged 50 years and older (mean age = 69.0). MEASUREMENTS Questionnaires including the Medical Outcomes Study Cognitive Functioning Scale (SCD), PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PTSD), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (suicidal ideation in the previous two weeks), and the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (current suicidal intent). RESULTS A total of 154 (4.4%) veterans screened positive for current PTSD, 239 (6.7%) reported past two-week suicidal ideation, and 37 (1.0%) reported current suicidal intent. The probability of suicidal ideation among veterans with both SCD and PTSD was more than six times higher than that observed in the full sample (44.5% vs. 6.7%) and more than 2.5 times higher than that observed in veterans with SCD and no PTSD (44.5% vs. 17.5%). Veterans with both subjective memory and concentration difficulties were more likely to report suicidal intent, though the interaction between SCD and PTSD was not significantly associated with suicidal intent. CONCLUSION Middle-aged and older U.S. veterans with subjective cognitive impairment and PTSD report higher rates of suicidal ideation than those with SCD alone. Interventions targeting SCD and PTSD may mitigate suicide risk among middle-aged and older veterans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Cations
- College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Joan M Cook
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Brandon Nichter
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Irina Esterlis
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Robert H Pietrzak
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
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Moye J, Kaiser AP, Cook J, Pietrzak RH. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Older U.S. Military Veterans: Prevalence, Characteristics, and Psychiatric and Functional Burden. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2022; 30:606-618. [PMID: 34823979 PMCID: PMC8983567 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2021.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize the prevalence, characteristics, and comorbidities of subthreshold and full post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in older U.S. military veterans. DESIGN AND SETTING A nationally representative web-based survey of older U.S. military veterans who participated in the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study (NHRVS) between November 18, 2019 and March 8, 2020. PARTICIPANTS U.S. veterans aged 60 and older (n = 3,001; mean age = 73.2, SD: 7.9, range: 60-99). MEASUREMENTS PTSD was assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5. Self-report measures assessed sociodemographic characteristics, trauma exposures, suicidal behaviors, psychiatric and substance use disorders, as well as mental, cognitive, and physical functioning. Multivariable analyses examined correlates of subthreshold and full PTSD. RESULTS The vast majority of the sample (n = 2,821; 92.7%) reported exposure to one or more potentially traumatic events. Of those exposed to such events, 262 (9.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.4%-10.9%) and 68 (1.9%, 95% CI: 1.3%-2.6%) screened positive for subthreshold and full PTSD, respectively. The prevalence of subthreshold and full PTSD was significantly higher in female veterans and veterans who use VA as their primary healthcare. Subthreshold and full PTSD groups endorsed more adverse childhood experiences and total traumas than the no/minimal PTSD symptom group, the most common traumatic experiences endorsed were combat exposure, physical or sexual assault, and life-threatening illness or injury. Veterans with subthreshold and full PTSD were also more likely to screen positive for depression, substance use disorders, suicide attempts, nonsuicidal self-injury, and suicidal ideation, and reported lower mental, cognitive, and physical functioning. CONCLUSION Subthreshold PTSD and full PTSD are prevalent and associated with substantial clinical burden in older U.S. veterans. Results underscore the importance of assessing both subthreshold and full PTSD in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Moye
- VA New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) (JM), Boston, MA; VA Boston Healthcare System (JM, APK), Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School (JM), Boston, MA.
| | - Anica Pless Kaiser
- VA Boston Healthcare System (JM, APK), Boston, MA; National Center for PTSD (APK), Boston MA; Boston University School of Medicine (APK), Boston, MA
| | - Joan Cook
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD, VA Connecticut Healthcare System (JC, RHP), West Haven, CT; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine (JC, RHP), New Haven, CT
| | - Robert H Pietrzak
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for PTSD, VA Connecticut Healthcare System (JC, RHP), West Haven, CT; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine (JC, RHP), New Haven, CT; Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health (RHP), New Haven, CT
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Nobels A, Lemmens G, Thibau L, Beaulieu M, Vandeviver C, Keygnaert I. "Time Does Not Heal All Wounds": Sexual Victimisation Is Associated with Depression, Anxiety, and PTSD in Old Age. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19052803. [PMID: 35270496 PMCID: PMC8910002 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19052803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Sexual violence (SV) has an important impact on mental health. Childhood sexual abuse is linked to internalising disorders in later life. In older adults, SV occurs more often than previously believed. Moreover, health care workers lack the skills to address SV in later life. Studies researching the mental health impact of lifetime SV, i.e., SV during childhood, adulthood, and old age, are lacking. Between July 2019 and March 2020, 513 older adults living in Belgium participated in structured face-to-face-interviews. Selection occurred via a cluster random probability sampling with a random walk finding approach. Depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) were measured using validated scales. Participants were asked about suicide attempts and self-harm during their lifetime and in the past 12 months. SV was measured using behaviourally specific questions based on a broad SV definition. We found rates for depression, anxiety, and PTSD of 27%, 26%, and 6% respectively, while 2% had attempted suicide, and 1% reported self-harm in the past 12 months. Over 44% experienced lifetime SV and 8% in the past 12 months. Lifetime SV was linked to depression (p = 0.001), anxiety (p = 0.001), and PTSD in participants with a chronic illness/disability (p = 0.002) or no/lower education (p < 0.001). We found no link between lifetime SV and suicide attempts or self-harm in the past 12 months. In conclusion, lifetime SV is linked to mental health problems in late life. Tailored mental health care for older SV victims is necessary. Therefore, capacity building of professionals and development of clinical guidelines and care procedures are important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Nobels
- International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Department of Psychiatry, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Correspondence: (A.N.); (I.K.)
| | - Gilbert Lemmens
- Department of Psychiatry, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Department of Head and Skin–Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lisa Thibau
- International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Marie Beaulieu
- School of Social Work, Research Chair on Mistreatment of Older Adults and Research Centre on Aging, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada;
| | - Christophe Vandeviver
- Department of Criminology, Criminal Law and Social Law, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Ines Keygnaert
- International Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Correspondence: (A.N.); (I.K.)
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